By The phone number previously used by missing activist and social critic, Abubakar Idris better known as Dadiyata, has suddenly resurfaced on messaging app, Telegram.
On August 2, 2019, Dadiyata was abducted by unidentified assailants who seized him from his residence in Barnawa neighbourhood of Kaduna State.
Before his bizzare disappearance, the activist who had a strong following on Twitter was known for his critical anti-government political views. His whereabouts have been unknown ever since.
But in a shocking development, investigative journalist David Hundeyin disclosed on Monday that Dadiyata’s phone number is currently active on Telegram, but with a new “owner”.
Presumably, the sim card was recycled back to the market for sale by the telco, hence the reason why the phone number now belongs to someone else.
Hundeyin tweeted, “Saw a Telegram notification “Dadiyata Ibrahim just joined Telegram” and my heart froze.
“I asked the person how she has this number and the response was “Oga na my own, na me get am. I no fit dey explain.” I don’t understand what is happening here.”
This isn’t the first time Nigerian telcos would reissue redundant phone numbers to new customers.
In 2020, one Anthony Okolie was allegedly detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for purchasing a sim card that was previously used by Hannan, a daughter of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari.
